Royston Rugby Club U15's started their 2018/19 season, with an away match to Harpenden

By Dafydd Hudd

Straight from the kick off Royston put Harpenden on the back foot

Royston Rugby Club U15's started their 2018/19 season, with an away match to Harpenden on Sunday (30th September 2018).

Travelling with only 14 players, they had to use an opposition player to boost their numbers.

Straight from the kick off Royston put Harpenden on the back foot, with a try by D Hudd, after only 3 minutes of play. Conversion was slotted over by J Smith.Harpenden didn't let the early score dishearten them and hit back on the 10 minute mark with a try of their own, unfortunately the conversion was missed.It was Harpenden who took the game by the scruff of the neck, forcing Royston to defend their own try line on numerous occasions. After 23 minutes of play Harpenden managed to weaken the Royston line, enough to squeeze through for an try, once again the conversion was missed.With Royston down by 3 points and half time approaching the Royston forwards decided to take charge and batter their opposition, with numerous thumping straight runs, they sent the ball out to the backs who passed it out to M DePetrillo, who went over in the corner for the last try of the first half. The conversion was missed by W Lewis.

The second half got underway similar to the end of the first, with both sides taking massive strides forward, only to be pushed back in similar fashion. Royston's scrummaging came it to its own in the second half, winning the majority of their own balls, along with pushing the opposition off few of theirs. Special mention should go to the front row H Evans, R Duff & J Langdon.On the 47th minute, M DePetrillo managed to squeeze down the sideline, after a great display of passing by the backs, who got it from inside their own half, and over the try line. The conversion was missed by H Evans.With the score at Harpenden 10 - 17 Royston, Harpenden went looking for a draw, and so nearly got it on the stroke of the 57th minute, with a well worked try in to the corner. With the match resting on the Harpenden conversion, Royston could not look as it was taken, lucky it sailed past the right hand upright, meaning Royston rode out the match to become eventul winners by 2 points.